D&D 5E Storm King's Thunder

[Neurotic]

Ordrar looks over the map and points at the mass of hills between them and Triboar. "I think it would be easier to lose army of giants in these hills than in Westwood. We could go toward Womford and follow the river up into Sumber Hills. Army, or even just large groups could use Dessarin Road or the river itself to quickly move. And by the map, there aren't many people there to spot them by chance alone."

 

[KahlessNestor]

Goldenfields/Tavern
Evening
Round 0

Dren folded his arms as he studied the map.”We’ve go’ a bluidy flyin’ castle, loathe as I am t’ gae up in tha’ again,” he commented. “I doot tha’ an army o’ hill giants cuild ‘ide from us in th’air. They ain’t bluidy geniuses.”

[sblock=Actions]
Action:
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[sblock=Stats]
AC: 16
HP: 35/51 HD: 6/6d8+2
Ki: 1/6/R
Darts 10
Arrows: 18 Used:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party Treasure]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party]
Tranio - half-elf death cleric
Fistan - human wizard
Carolina - halfling rogue
Dren - dwarf monk
Bethany - human fighter
Aremus - half-elf paladin
Ordrar - dwarf eldritch knight
[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Carolina rests quietly, content to leave the decision making to the others for now.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Tranio watches as Carolina sits back while the others strategize, and he offers her an apple.

He is not an outdoorsman. His instinct is to adopt Aremus' approach, partly because he wants to experience a riverboat ride and he'll get to speak to other people. But certainly the tactical advantage of looking down on the hill giants from above is not lost on him, and he recognizes that Dren's approach may be safest. But he will not venture an opinion unless asked, but will instead enjoy his apple with Carolina.

 

[Neurotic]

Ordrar looks at Dren incredulously "We cannot assume that young giant will expose himself so. He is already target of the assassination attempts. We should check if he can contact Zephyros and anyhow, we need to coordinate somehow between all the towns. Not everyone in the area even knows there is danger." Ordrar adds.

"Traveling on foot is slower, but we may pass unnoticed. Flying castle...they will know we know they're there and may send someone to drop us. As we've seen, the castle isn't the quickest conveyance around."

 

[industrygothica]

The halfling happily takes the apple, then ponders to Tranio. "I'm not even sure I know really what's going on anymore. I'm just shooin' at things that look like they need shootin' at. I guess that's been good enough so far."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"As my friend Ordrar says. I'm not sure we can expect the Giant Prince to take his castle where we want to go." Aremus agreed, "And I think we may want to speak to people. We can't constantly land a Giant Castle without terrorising the locals, I think."

 

[KahlessNestor]

Goldenfields/Tavern
Evening
Round 0

“I s’pose,” Dren allowed. “But then we risk missin’ the giants,” he pointed out. “I dislike the idea of bein’ on the water only slightly less than bein’ in the air, though,” he said with dry humor.

[sblock=Actions]
Action:
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[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]
AC: 16
HP: 35/51 HD: 6/6d8+2
Ki: 1/6/R
Darts 10
Arrows: 18 Used:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party Treasure]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party]
Tranio - half-elf death cleric
Fistan - human wizard
Carolina - halfling rogue
Dren - dwarf monk
Bethany - human fighter
Aremus - half-elf paladin
Ordrar - dwarf eldritch knight
[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Ordrar nods "I agree. We would be vulnerable on the water. And we cannot easily run if things get hairy. With feet properly on the ground, or even better, UNDERground, we can scout around."

 

[Kobold Stew]

Tranio smiles at Carolina. "At least the targets are big..." He finishes his own apple, chewing quite close to the core, before tossing it in a bush.

He speaks up to the others, "So we're heading to the hills? Off the main path and towards where we thing there will be giants? Sounds good." Tranio is not an outdoorsman, but he leads the way until someone with greater experience than he takes over.

OOC: Survival (untrained): [roll0]. If with someone working with him, he has advantage, the better of that and [roll1].

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Aremus stared at the dwarves in disbelief, "I should think that the good people who live along the river will have heard news of a giant army moving south. Perhaps even seen their supply wagons loading water. You'd think they'd need plenty of it. But I am happy with whatever route we take, if it continues our adventure. I am happy to travel with you all."

 

[Neurotic]

"There are no settlements in the hills north of that bridge, ford, village...we need to check wild hills not settled country. Unless they already started the attack in which case we might find burned towns and slaves taken."

 

[seriousmoonlight]

Cloud Giants: Zephyros said he will meet back with the group in a ten day. He went off to search for clues / protect other small folk settlements. The young prince will stay in Goldenfields until the wizard returns. He is indeed now a target of his father's wrath, but can provide ariel surveillance for the fields.

Storm King: As best you can all understand, the different races of giantkind have declared war on each other. Normally, they are kept in check by an intricate caste system, but that belief seems to have been abandoned. Zephyros mentioned someone called The Storm King, the giant who sat at the very top of the caste, has gone missing. The wizard is hoping he can be found, alive, so that this war can be stopped before the small folk cities are destroyed from collateral damage.

Tranio: You explore the nearby hills and come across a very fancy looking barge. Purple banners with a golden goose hang from the sides. From speaking with one of the crew, who was stretching their legs, you learn it is called "The Grand Dame". It is a very popular floating Casino and would be happy to transport the party through the valley - provided you all buys some drinks and make some wagers.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Tranio feels he has not adequately explained the threat they are pursuing, but is happy to share the news that a riverboat casino is willing to transport them in the direction of the hill giants.

 

[KahlessNestor]

Goldenfields/Tavern
Evening
Round 0

“A casino?” Dren asked in disbelief. “Bah! A fool an’ ‘is gold are soon parted! But if ‘tis wot we ‘ave, I guess ‘twill ‘ave t’ dae. I’m jus’ foine wi’ drinkin’, but nae self-respectin’ dwarf wastes ‘is gold on games o’ chance. Noo if they’ve go’ some friendly wagers o’ skill an’ ability, then mebbe we c’n talk.”

[sblock=Actions]
Action:
Bonus Action:
Move:
Reaction:
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Conditions:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]
AC: 16
HP: 35/51 HD: 6/6d8+2
Ki: 1/6/R
Darts 10
Arrows: 18 Used:
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party Treasure]
[/sblock]

[sblock=Party]
Tranio - half-elf death cleric
Fistan - human wizard
Carolina - halfling rogue
Dren - dwarf monk
Bethany - human fighter
Aremus - half-elf paladin
Ordrar - dwarf eldritch knight
[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Carolina isn't one for making wagers at a casino, but she's certain that she will find something to occupy her time.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

While it's not quite what Aremus had in mind when he liked the idea of travelling upriver, a popular riverboat may make for some interesting people to talk to. He's in.

 

[Neurotic]

"We can go upriver, at least for a time." Ordrar comments. Not that he is eager to be on a funboat (or any boat) after Nightstone loses. But they will be faster that way.

 

[seriousmoonlight]

Crew: The ship's crew consists of a captain named Nelvin Storn, a Tethyrian, and eight deckhands who all look like they've seen their shares of bar room brawls Storn is eager to meet with the party and discuss anything he should keep his eyes open for.

Grand Dame: An hour before dusk, a mob of commoners (thirty-two rowers, six chefs, six servers, a dozen card dealers, a dozen escorts, and three musicians) arrives at the docks for inspection by the captain, who stands on the pier next to the ship's boarding ramp. Storn promises each hired worker 5 gp for good service, with payment made the next morning. Once the workers are aboard, rowers report to the lower deck (area 4), servers and chefs to the kitchen (area 8), card dealers and escorts to the casino (area 9), and musicians to the dance hall (area 14). Wealthy, well-dressed guests begin arriving around the same time as the workers. Guests are free to wander the ship but are advised to keep away from the bridge and crew quarters on the upper
deck (areas 11-13).


Security: An older shou woman, in a green silk robe, patrols the boat. You notice that she has a magic bag, just like the one the cultists had, filled with gambling chips. This woman is never out of ear shot of the party.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Aremus sat down for a drink with the Captain at the earliest opportunity. "How far North does your ship travel? Can we stay aboard as far as Yartar? That would be most convenient for us. While I expect us to enjoy your ship's hospitality, it is also of the utmost importance that we find any information we can on the movements of Giants. Any Giants, to be certain, but we are particularly interested in any information that confirms the movements of a Hill Giant army. I expect it is nothing, but rumours of this army has come our way, and I'm sure you understand, we would like it confirmed. Or better yet, refuted. We are, of course, willing to pay for any information, if it is good information."

OOC: Is it possible for me to have gotten some "bribe money" from the Abbott out of the "Goldenfields Security Coffer"?